gas pedal
Speed Secrets: Learning From Experience
I have been very lucky in my career to not only have a chance to drive SO many different kinds of cars (Grand-Am DP, Grand-AM GT, ALMS GTLM, ALMS PC, ALMS LMP2, Porsche Cup cars, World Challenge, Continental GS, Continental ST, NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide, NASCAR Trucks, Late Models, Midgets, Formula Atlantic, Pro Mazda, IMSA Lites, Radicals, Formula Renault, karts, etc.), but I have also been very lucky to have been raised by a professional race engineer my entire life. I guess where I am going with all of this is that I may only be 25 years old, but I feel like I have seen quite a bit and experienced a lot in my racing career. I want to talk this week about a few things I think club racers can learn that are easy to execute and will deliver results right away. These are things I have seen and continue to see over my career. I do quite a bit of driver coaching alongside my pro racing, so I have worked with drivers of all different experience levels.
Update: 2013 Chrysler 300 SRT8
We’re sorry if you clicked in here expecting a detailed report on how the Chrysler 300 SRT8 handles, brakes, rides, or looks. We’ll give you this: good, great, poor, excellent. Instead, we’re going to talk about this car’s sensational engine.
Update: 2014 Mazda CX-5
Throughout those adventures, the tossability and fun-to-drive nature of the CX-5 remained a talking point. A bigger talking point, though, was the absolute lack of power. Mazda built an entertaining crossover, but it was too underpowered to live up to its suspension’s potential. Thankfully, that’s been solved for the 2014 model year. Joining the 155-horsepower, 150-pound-foot, 2.0-liter Skyactiv four-pot is the brawnier 2.5-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder from the Mazda6 (review coming very soon).
Driven: 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible
This particular Corvette proved to be a fascinating piece for review, not because we have any lack of experience with the current generation of the near-supercar, but because of the configuration. The Grand Sport is in the middle of the Corvette range (some might say “sweet spot”), with a 430-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8, the really great magnetically adjustable shocks, and a cool body kit. In the case of our specific vehicle, the fun factor was upped with the convertible top, 60th Anniversary package (which makes the Vette a dead-ringer for the 2013 Corvette 427), and (sigh) an automatic transmission.
Quick Drive: 2012 Hyundai Equus Ultimate
The car’s 5.0-liter V-8 its a superb engine, whether you’re trying to get somewhere in a hurry, or just cruising in laidback comfort. The gas pedal offers some travel to play with, so you aren’t chirping the tires at every stoplight. Step hard on the pedal, though, and the Equus will happily launch forward with urgency. It accelerates smoothly, even when done fast, and the little bit of engine noise that makes its way to your ears sounds robust and sonorous, never harsh or loud. The attached eight-speed automatic transmission helps to change gears quickly and smoothly, without interrupting the linear feel of the acceleration.
Driven: 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
According to convention, convertibles are coupe-based. That’s fine; we love a brisk drive in a sporty little thing, and being able to lose the top and enjoy the elements on a nice day is an adventure we seek out whenever possible. But what happens when we actually need to use the car? If we were to pack the bags for a summer weekend Up North, we’re usually stuck either leaving the top up to make room in the trunk, or we forego the convertible altogether. And that, friends, is a crying shame.
Categories
Most Popular
